Matt Patricia, well-known fan of…the Lions? The team’s former head coach, who was fired midway through the 2020 season as Detroit finished last in the NFC North for the third straight season, has enjoyed watching the Lions’ success under his successor, Dan Campbell.

“I love Detroit. I’m so happy for the fans,” Patricia said Thursday morning on NFL Network ahead of Thursday night’s showdown between the Lions and Packers. “This fan base, when you take a job and go to a city, as a coach you really only want to attract the people who really want to have it and experience it. And I’m so happy for Dan and his staff and the players that are there are great. It’s incredibly fun.

The Lions went 13-29-1 under Patricia. They are 35-27-1 under Campbell and 31-8-1 since the middle of his second season. For the first time since 1934 – their first season in Detroit – they enter Thursday night’s game with a 10-game winning streak.

“I love the way they play the game,” Patricia said. “(What) Dan built, the culture he brought, the toughness he has there. I love the offense, I love the offense, Hank Fraley, what he did with those guys, and certainly Ben Johnson, what he was able to do. “As far as offense goes, those guys are playing phenomenal. They’re dealing with some injuries but I think they’re a well-coached team, he’s doing a great job.

“I mean, I love it, I think it’s great. Who doesn’t want the Lions to win? That was ages ago. Let’s go, let’s win!”

Fraley, Detroit’s offensive line coach, and Johnson, the offensive coordinator, were both hired by Patricia. Patricia also praised his first draft pick in Detroit, three-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow. But when asked what has changed for the Lions since his departure, Patricia responded with certainty: “Give credit to Dan Campbell for what he’s done to get the entire building to do what he did wanted them and to believe in what they were doing.” preached, go out, work hard.

“Look, we all know what it’s like in the NFL. When you have a little bit of success, you develop a little bit of faith – everyone’s good in the NFL, they’re great football players – sometimes it just takes you.” “A little bit of spark, a little bit of faith.” said.